Volume 13, Cadenza Road Itto: Part 1

A faint blue dimness pervaded the surroundings.

A stone without any taint. Its surface was transparent like a mirror, reflecting the faint light like water. No one knew where the light came from. Or perhaps, the wall itself was releasing this faint light? But the light was not enough to chase away the darkness. Light and dark combined to create this special faintly blue gloom. It made a person feel like he was swimming in moonlight.

"This is?"

Words seeded with doubt echoed faintly. The sound rippled in the dimness. The surroundings stirred.

"This is the inner court of Grendan," Alsheyra said in a low voice behind her.

Alsheyra reached out a hand behind Leerin. Unlike before, that long and elegant finger guided Leerin's gaze. A hand that had been decorated. The decorations adorning her hand sparkled lightly in the darkness. It was also a strong hand. The hand of a guardian who was stronger than any Military Artists in Grendan.

The door.

It didn't look any different than the wall. But there was nothing behind them here, so Leerin understood this was the door.

The door was in front of her.

No, it existed here.

Alsheyra continued her narrative. Synola, the person who went to school together with Leerin was in fact the Queen who governed Grendan. Facts were always accompanied with an element of surprise. Leerin was surprised at that time too. But she had already seen through it before the disguise came off. Leerin's right eye had seen through Synola to the real identity that was Alsheyra Almonise.

"Inside this place is the person who is connected to the beginning of the world. She is the prototype of all Electronic Fairies. She lived in the very first Regios. She is the first guardian to the human race. All Electronic Fairies are copies of her. That way of putting it might be more suitable."

Alsheyra's explanation was meaningless. It was both wrong and right. Leerin's right eye knew.

That person was connected to the creation of the world. That person had been reborn in order to guard the human race. However, that wasn't her wish. She was anticipating the person who had helped her regain her lost identity. She lived till now to wait for his reappearance. In fact, she didn't care about the fate of this world. All she prayed for was his safe return.

He was the true owner of Leerin's right eye. What lived in Leerin's body was just his shadow. And the origin of that shadow was....

"Is it really all right?" Alsheyra said.

Leerin thought of her words.

"Since what will happen next wouldn't be that bad. The worst situation might not occur during our lifetimes. There's no need to go past this door and no need to know the truth. Even so, do you still want to?"

The knot in Leerin's heart tightened at that question.

"....Don't you understand?"

"Huh?"

"Do you not understand anything? Things might begin in the next moment. The shadow might swap with the real body. If that doesn't happen, what about next time? It might happen soon! Isn't that so?"

"Yes, I don't deny that. Things are starting to move, but I don't know at what speed. The flow of time in the two sides might differ. Perhaps, while we're making our preparations, a hundred years might have flowed past."

"......I don't know. Didn't we just arrive here?"

"Yes. Either way, we don't know."

"That's why we should do our best in the present."

"That's the right choice. But is it really all right?"

Alsheyra's repeated question stabbed Leerin's heart. The question stabbed deeper than the initial question, making it hard to breathe.

"....Why, why are you asking?"

"What we need now is the "correct choice" that everyone can accept. Isn't that so?"

".........."

"What we need now is also the "correct choice" of your feelings. Right?"

Leerin clutched her chest tightly, feeling the pain, making herself accept Alsheyra's words. She did it because they were words she wanted to hear and words she couldn't disobey. But the temptation in the words and the pain both landed in her heart. She was determined to untie that knot in her.

Perhaps that was the truth.

No, she already knew what the "right" choice was. But she couldn't accept it, and she couldn't be persuaded. She didn't even know how things would turn out if she took action.

"So I........"

Once more, she took a step out. Facing the wall, she walked close to the door.

"I knew from birth that this day would come, so I could walk this path without confusion. But Lee-chan's different. The sudden realization, the sudden involvement. It's okay as you only learned now of the burden of fate you carry. No one would blame you. I wouldn't blame you."

"......Thanks."

But Leerin's steps did not cease. She would just keep on walking. That way......It didn't matter.

◇

Nina Antalk slept. The golden goat was near her. Sparkling light exuded from it as it waited for the timing from not too far away, watching her.

Where is this place?

It wasn't a real place. At least, it wasn't some place she was familiar with. Not Zuellni. Not Schneibel. An alien place.

This wasn't a real place because Nina knew she was sleeping.

The Haikizoku. Only he was watching her.

"You are......"

She tried to get closer, but the goat retreated at the same speed. She didn't see him moving though. Perhaps this was the distance of the mind between her and the goat. That was what a dream was, which meant she was still sleeping. There was nothing here. Everywhere was dark. Nina and the Haikizoku floated in the darkness. Time flowed. The two kept silent. No, did time exist? No matter how long one was in a dream, only a few seconds would pass in reality. Time in a dream was meaningless. In that case, perhaps the silence between them hadn't been a long one. But it felt long to Nina.

She wanted to say something. The silence made her uneasy.

"What is your name?"

The goat that had kept still like a statue finally moved. Its body shook lightly.

"As an Electronic Fairy, you were once a city's consciousness? I saw it. That was your city, wasn't it? Then you should have a name."

"I've become the blade of revenge. A name means nothing. I only desire for the person who will use me and the person who can use my power."

"You mean me?"

"For now, I look at you to see whether you can complete the blade of revenge or as the flame of hatred, turn me into a blazing flame. Or turn my face into that of a person who is like a beast of ill-omen. I will keep looking."

"Who are your enemies?"

She knew of the Haikizoku's power when it was on a rampage. That information she had obtained from Haia. Changed by its hatred for those who had destroyed its city, the Haikizoku had transformed into a dangerous power that could be lent to a Military Artist, and its target was the filth monsters. The Haikizoku had caused the Academy City to go on a rampage, and it had entered Nina's body. If she didn't have Zuellni's help, she wouldn't be able to suppress its power. After that, she had come to the city of Myath and was involved in the fight against the Wolf Faces. To put it another way, a certain huge power had made her fight them.

This might be connected to Dixerio. While preventing the Wolf Faces' plan from coming into fruition, Nina had been dragged into this thing that was connected to Dixerio.

But that might also be wrong. Dixerio might not be the cause of her movement to Myath. Perhaps the overlapping of the two of them had caused a simultaneous movement. Perhaps this had occurred for the first time since the Haikizoku's power entered her body.

"The negative substance that wishes for this world's destruction. The person who spreads it. The people who want to bring their ideals into reality. I belong to this world. I exist in this world. It's natural for me to battle and bet on this world's existence."

"The Wolf Faces too."

"Of course."

"Just what are they?"

"........"

"They are planning something, that I can tell. It must be something bad. Those guys don't care for the deaths of Electronic Fairies and their cities. I understand we must defeat them, but I don't know what they're doing."

"......" The Haikizoku was silent.

"I don't know why they do what they do. You know, don't you? Then tell me."

"......" The Haikizoku was silent.

"Tell me. I don't know. I know nothing about the enemies. "Something bad" isn't an explanation I can accept."

"........" The Haikizoku remained silent.

What was the meaning behind that silence? "Tell me everything. Who are we fighting? What is the point of it? I want to know what other threats there are to this world other than the filth monsters."

"I know your anger."

That was the battle in Zuellni against the giants. The sound of Military Artists who craved for battle rose and fell. It was a hopeless and hated scene for the Haikizoku. He cursed his impotence. As a city's consciousness that worked to protect humans, he had failed to take up his responsibility.

This scene hammered home his impotence.

The Haikizoku managed to live by feeding on his despair. It searched for a Military Artist it could entrust its power to battle the filth monsters, the Wolf Faces and the unknown enemies to this world. He ended up living in Nina's body. Even so, why didn't he tell her everything?

"......I too, I've sighed at my impotence."

Nina put a hand on her chest, recalling the pain in her memory. This memory started from Schneibel. She had failed to save the little Electronic Fairy. After that, she had come to Zuellni to train herself. But she still felt powerless even though she was in Zuellni. A loss in the previous Military Arts Competition had left Zuellni short of supplies.

"We cannot lose next time. We must win in the next Military Arts Competition." She had kept training while holding this belief. In order to strengthen her resolve, she had left team 14 to start her own 17th platoon. She had invited Sharnid, who had left team 10, to join her. Later on, the Student President had recommended Felli. Harley had become the platoon's Dite technician, and the platoon had started its activities despite its low member count.

Nina had felt uneasy. Perhaps her first step was wrong. Perhaps it was wrong to strengthen her resolve under those circumstances. They didn't have any outstanding fighting power, nor did they have any brilliant tactics. Perhaps it was more correct to work under the captain of the 14th platoon and let him draw out her potential. That unease had always occupied her heart. Perhaps she should disband the platoon. That thought had come to her again and again, but she had stomached all the weaknesses of the team.

At last, Layfon appeared.

His existence was so bright. His power drew Nina in the right direction. Though there were many accidents, they had finally won in the intercity match with Myath. Zuellni was released from its situation. Though this wasn't the last Military Arts Competition, if this kept on going, Zuellni probably wouldn't lose.

Zuellni had been released from its crisis. But what did Nina gain? Was it good to have formed the 17th platoon? What had the platoon that reflected her will have offered in the battle? Did everything else become meaningless as long as Layfon was here?

"I actually didn't do anything. Aren't I still a meaningless and powerless existence? Haikizoku, you chose to live in my body. But that power is yours. I'm just a tool to manifest your power. As I thought, I'm still powerless. Is that why you aren't telling me anything?"

Her chest hurt. Her breathing hurt. She had left Schneibel for a certain goal. What had she achieved now? She was jealous of Layfon, and she disliked herself for being unable to hate him. She must be very ugly.

What was she thinking when Karian reproached Layfon for relying on her as his reason to battle? What was she feeling when she fought the giants and was almost taken over by the Haikizoku? Was she here just because of her own willfulness?

"......You who comprehend your powerlessness."

The Haikizoku spoke as she sank into negative thought.

"You understand the heart of an Electronic Fairy. It was a correct choice to stay in your body. But your resolve is not enough. Perhaps you have experienced the hell of this world, but your resolve to strive for the future is not enough."

"I mean the resolve to keep fighting, you little Military Artist. You who have become my son."

This wasn't the Haikizoku's voice. A new existence was now in this darkness, in this incredible dream.

"You are......"

She sucked in a breath as she watched her. So beautiful. So unexpected. Looking from a human's perspective, her appearance stood on the fine line between beauty and ugliness. She had a human's form, but some parts were different. Wings took over her arms. Within her hair was a long feather like a bird's tail feather. Feathers grew on different parts of her body, and her feet were the claws of a bird's.

Half beast and half man.

"Schneibel?"

That was Schneibel that Nina had seen when she was little.

"Great mother," the Haikizoku called her.

A faint smile adorned Schneibel's face. She looked at the Haikizoku then surveyed her surroundings.

"Melnisc, I've made you carry a painful memory. You others, no need to hide. Show yourselves."

A change occurred. The world remained dark, but two more pictures appeared in the dark background.

It was a four-legged beast with long fur, and the other....

"Zuellni?"

The Electronic Fairy that had grown after obtaining something from Falnir stood by Nina's side.

"The three children who have chosen a cruel fate. This is your first time gathered together?"

"As we're connected closely by En, no need for first time formalities," the four-legged beast said.

"Yes, Grendan. Though I'm connected to this girl, it's not so for others. This is the first meeting. It's a moment that is worth remembering."

Melnisc. Schneibel had said it. That must be the Haikizoku's name. And she had called the four-legged beast "Grendan". Lance Shelled City. Gorneo had said it before. There was another Electronic Fairy in Grendan. An existence that slept and was called the true will. So this four-legged beast represented the will of the sleeper. It was a Haikizoku that drove the movement of the Lance Shelled City.

And there was Zuellni, lowering her head unobtrusively beside Nina. Why did she appear with these two in here? Why did Schneibel say "The three children who have chosen a cruel fate"? What had Zuellni chosen?

"Grendan, has Saya awakened?" Schneibel said, ignoring the confused Nina.

"Not yet, but it's close. The person with the rose and cross crafted into her and the person who possesses great power have appeared."

"They should be in one body, but now it looks like it won't go so smoothly."

"Yes, but I don't know how things will progress in this situation."

"The shadow has become two. Though that shouldn't have appeared, this is the first of many occurrences. We'll have to keep watching to see what happens next. What I'm worried about is just mere worry."

"Perhaps not, that's why we need to make preparations."

"As you said, and there's also Zuellni."

Schneibel's gaze turned to Zuellni. The tiny Electronic Fairy looked at the mother of all Electronic Fairies without fear.

"You, who have chosen to hide in the dimness, have seen everything. What has happened to her?"

Nina watched Zuellni. The Electronic Fairy that had never spoken opened her mouth. Though she had heard the Haikizoku - Melnisc's voice, she had never thought that other Electronic Fairies could speak. Zuellni could speak. What was her voice like?

Though this wasn't the time to notice that, it still bothered her.

"That person has not changed."

Zuellni's voice was gentle and healing.

"As in the past, an upright person."

"The same as the person that I know?"

Schneibel's voice also felt gentle.

"I'm not sure. I do not know the person that mother knows."

"Then, what do you feel about her?"

Zuellni crossed her arms and smiled at Nina. Nina thought of the meaning behind that smile. The conversation that was now taking place in darkness....She thought about it and something suddenly flashed through her mind. Darkness. Only the girl whose beauty was like that of a temptress suited this word. Nina had thought the Haikizoku had left her body......but the girl had returned Melnisc to her body.

She was the topic of this conversation in the dark.

"She's an upright person. She hasn't changed since our first meeting. What she likes, she likes. What she dislikes, she dislikes. She's clear about that."

"You really do like her," Schneibel said.

Zuellni smiled her usual smile. This was the Zuellni that Nina knew.

"So I'll put my full support behind her, and Nina too."

Though Zuellni tagged Nina onto her word, Nina was finally mentioned in the conversation.

"Um, and Grendan?"

"I've already obtained the information about that girl from you. Her temper and personality haven't changed. Though I don't think her virtues will change, since she's determined, this will become her new strength."

"Both of you have agreed, but the ultimate decision rests in your hand, Melnisc. You too, Nina Antalk. The children who are the knights protecting Schneibel."

Schneibel's gaze found Melnisc. The golden goat lowered its head.

"I......"

"You pitiful child who knows the will of destruction just as Grendan. You pitiful child who has been baptized in despair yet still lives strong. Why do you hesitate?"

"........"

"Is it because revenge burns in you still and you've seen that beast?"

"........"

"Is that it? But you can't become that beast, nor can you partially become him. Though you both have the same form, he lives a different existence. An Electronic Fairy that is not my son, that shouldn't exist in this world. No, he isn't an Electronic Fairy. He lives in the same dimension as Saya."

"........"

"Zuellni is clear about him too? The darkness you protect nurtures him. Do you know what that beast is doing?"

"I......"

"The fight with the Wolf Faces is as expected, since between them is a give and take relationship. But after that, where do the beast's fangs point? Where are they pointing at now? Do you know?"

"......"

Zuellni fell silent. She looked troubled. At the same time, they seemed to be on alert.

"......Unlike them who are closely tied by promises, we do not have a symbol. That's why we can't do as we please. In order to break free from the fate of waiting for the end of the legend, we cannot use the legend as our aim."

"The end of the legend....?"

What did Schneibel mean? Was this what all Electronic Fairies wished for? No, just what was their aim? Wasn't the Haikizoku Melnisc's wish revenge?

"Zuellni....?"

"......"

Nina looked at Zuellni, the first friend she met after arriving at the Academy City. But Zuellni remained silent.

This was a dream.

This was Nina's dream. That should be what it was.

But Nina failed to find a way to break this silence. She failed to wake from the dream.

◇

He was in the dark.

"What? Isn't it already out?"

"Because isn't this more interesting?"

Dixerio took down the mask from his face as he watched the scenery beneath him. The mask disappeared as if melting into the air. It was a face like a beast's. One seemed to see huge fangs during the moment of its disappearance.

"Speaking of which, aren't you gonna explain what just happened? After all, I'm at your beck and call."

"Ala, isn't it normal for the hunting dog to obey its owner?"

"Tsk."

Dixerio left.

He stood on one of Grendan's multi-legs.

"Is this the first Regios of this world?"

"Yes. You've been here many times, haven't you?"

"Unpleasant things happened every time I visited. I never had the time to appreciate its scenery."

"But I think there are many familiar people to you here."

"I've already forgotten. They aren't worth remembering. Besides, they probably don't remember me."

"It's sad, being unable to become familiar."

The fierce wind blew Nelphilia's hair into curls, swaying her dress. Originally, Dixerio wouldn't let it go like that. He also didn't accept himself in the dark for being so unsightly.

"Are you letting loose the sadness in you?"

"You saw through it?"

"That's not like you."

"Fu~"

Bearing the strong wind, she looked at Grendan.

"Speaking of which, the prey has appeared."

"Then capture him, just as I wanted."

"And the girl?"

"Bring her along. She's my woman."

"Ah, when did it become that kind of relationship?"

"Since she interfered with my plan."

"So troublesome. She may be the one that Zuellni likes."

"Then I'll sing Zuellni a nursery rhyme."

"Really, you're already past that age."

"Then I can prepare her a doll."

"Ah, that's a headache."

The scenery was peaceful. The unusual event of contact with an Academy City had ended. Normal citizens had returned to their normal lives. That was the same for the Academy City too. Students had begun working hard to renew the desolate city. Though Grendan's citizens were still perplexed about the incident, they had given the immature students as much help as they could, trying to understand the situation in the other city while being banned from interacting with them.

What peaceful scenery. No one would know the next huge wave was about to hit. Everyone thought the rain had passed.

"So when is your hunt going to end?" Nelphilia's gaze moved from the city to Dixerio's back.

"Until I've hunted them all down. The saying goes, a dog boils a dead rabbit. This time, the hunter has become the prey."

The stirring of green Kei appeared around Dixerio as he replied. Green Kei. The flame of revenge. Though it had a low profile recently, it might be slowly waking up.

Her gaze shifted to the deep blue sky and saw the faint shadow of the moon.

"Perhaps it's coming close."

The moon appeared there all the time even though the sun continued to rise in the east and fall in the west.

"It seems your fangs are heavily damaged?"

"Then let new fangs be grown."

The Dite in his hand had not been restored. This was a new Dite given by Nelphilia. It was made of metal that would never shatter no matter how much Kei was poured into it. This Dite symbolized eternity as long as Nelphilia lived. However, at present, it was rusting. Not the Dite but Dixerio. To say it clearly, it was the fang living in his heart. The reason for the rust didn't stem from Dixerio or Nelphilia. His heart wasn't rusting. His skill was not either.

Yet the rusting never stopped. It continued to invade and swallow the depth of Dixerio's heart.

"Let's go."

Dixerio jumped into the city. It was his will to silently bear the destruction of his body.

"Perhaps it's a good thing for you."

◇

She was very dissatisfied. She absolutely did not comprehend the things happening before her. She tried placing the reasons and what she didn't comprehend side by side in her mind but the end result was blurry. Too many things were incomprehensible. And for those few things she understood, a large part of them was very abstract.

Still, there was something like a premonition.

"Geez...."

Claribel walked in the palace.

She had originally wanted to see the real Queen but the Queen had left the palace with an unknown girl of Claribel's age. Lintence too. Why did he bring in the unfamiliar girl? No. She could tell he had snatched her away.

Claribel saw the Academy City from Grendan. Was that girl a student in this city? Though the filth monsters had made a ruckus yesterday night, the crisis had been safely averted. Claribel had heard the only people over in that city were boys and girls of her own age. She wanted to look but her grandfather had stopped her.

"What did you say?" she didn't get him.

But she had a premonition.

She stopped in the corridor. She could see a part of the city from here. The scenery was the usual Grendan. It was dry on the outside but full of energy in the inside. Though she knew she could feel the unexpected vitality if she was to walk the street, from here all she felt was silence. Perhaps this had to do with the layout of the buildings. Perhaps it was the influence of the tower?

What she saw now was probably different from the Academy city?

The curiosity in her heart gushed out again.

"Shall I go and see?"

Though her grandfather had stopped her, it was her freedom to listen to him or not. If she was found out, what awaited her would be harsh scolding...... But either way, she was the only one who would bear it.

So it should be okay?

That was what she was considering. Besides, wasn't Layfon over there?

"Layfon. But I have something to confirm too."

Her hand reached naturally for the Dite at her wrist.

Let's just head over to the Academy City. This idea urged Claribel. Layfon was there. He became a Heaven's Blade successor at age ten. He was also the first Heaven's Blade to be exiled to another city.

"The person who once held the Heaven's Blade that I can't obtain......"

She wasn't that interested in his experience. What he did after becoming a Heaven's Blade successor. The thing that had happened, and his deed that a Military Artist shouldn't have committed...... Not interested at all - because she had already investigated them all. She even knew what the disabled Gahard Baren threatened Layfon with. The three royal families and the Heaven's Blade successors all knew.

Even so, it was not enough to placate the anger of the citizens. Layfon had told the normal citizens the horror of a Heaven's Blade successor. Though he had only told them a part of it, it was enough for them to feel the horror of a Heaven's Blade successor on a rampage. Only fellow Heaven's Blades could suppress a Heaven's Blade. And the Queen whose strength far exceeded all Heaven's Blades had no opponent.

They could destroy the entire city if they were to use their full strength.

Layfon possessed such power, and he had left Grendan to dwell in the Academy City, a gathering place for immature people.

For him who was still immature, Claribel wondered who he was living with.

-->>

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